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Scuba Junkie Komodo Beach Resort is a stunning and secluded Eco-Dive Resort that is dedicated to bringing you the best diving experience possible. We have accommodation to suit all budgets, and from our restaurant area you can watch the sunset over the Komodo National Park. Through this blog, find out more about what goes on behind the scenes, about our conservation work and get to know our crew!

Species of Sea Turtles!

It is often the case that the Manta Rays get all the attention, and whilst we love them and their graceful ways, there are many other marine species that are equally as fascinating to look at. Take for example...THE TURTLE!! Known by many as the chilled out surfer type from Finding Nemo, these guys were perfectly cast in the role. What else do we know about this amazing marine creature?

There are seven species of Sea Turtle:

Kemp's Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys Kempil)

These are one of the smallest of the sea turtles, weighing only 100lbs (45KG). They eat swimming crabs, jelly fish and a variety of molluscs.

Every year, at the same time and same place, thousands of Kemps Ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the beach. This is known as an arribada.

They are the most severely endangered marine turtle in the world - although they are showing signs of recovery!

Hawsbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Generally a smaller species of turtle, but they can get up to 200lbs (91kg)

They predominantly feed on sponges, so the adults are often found living among healthy coral reef communities

The strongly hooked beak on the narrow head gives them their distinctive look and name. They use this for eating sponges

Leather back turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea)

The largest species of sea turtle - growing up to 6.5 ft (2m)!!

They differ from other marine turtles in that they have a thick leathery carapace instead of a hard bony shell, and also they can survive in colder water

Their jaws are too weak to eat hard bodied prey, so they mostly eat jellyfish and salps

The females have a characteristic pink spot on their heads

Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Ceretta)

Their names come from their large heads and strong jaws, this allows them to eat prey with hard shells, like big marine snails.

It has the widest spread distribution of all the sea turtles

Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea)

Similar to Kemp's Ridley turtles, they take part in massive nestings that can involved 150,000 individual turtles at one time

They mostly feed on plants like seagrass and algae. The pigment from their green diet colours their fat green - which is where the name comes from.

Populations in nesting green turtle are estimated to have dropped by 48% - 65% in the past 100 - 150 years.

Recent studies do suggest that marine protected area are benefitting the turtles

All species of turtles are endangered :( . We are lucky enough to see three species of turtle in the Komodo National Park - Green Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles and Loggerhead turtles. With the area being protected we hope that numbers of turtles will continue to increase!

Check out our website for information on our packages, which will give you a great opportunity to see turtles!